Can anyone point me to a map on the 'Net, that would show some decent detail for Albia, Iowa? (Preferably late 1950's.) I am curious as to how the Wabash interacted with the M&St.L and the CB&Q in that area. BoxcabE50
Albia, Ia.......one of the gateways to the Southern Iowa coalfields! Thanks for the question Ken. I still think the MSN Terra Server (see map) is one of the best resources we have. Of course, it doesn't go back to your 1950s time frame, but with a little "imagineering", it's easy to track the various roads that served Albia and the coalfields. If this does not provide enough info for you, please let me know. I have many maps, which show the rail lines, mines (by name), interchanges etc going back to about the turn of the century. If you need any of them, I could scan and email to you. Much of the activity in this area began to decline just before and during the period you mentioned (the '40s-'50s). This, of course, produced many abandonments of branch lines, consolidations, and trackage rights agreements. Hope this helps. Bill [ 05 May 2002, 05:39: Message edited by: wabash_one ]
Bill- What made me curious, was seeing Wabash train orders copied as "Albia", "Albia CB&Q", "Albia M&St.L." From your link, it appears that the CB&Q had two lines. One south of town, the other through the north side. I can see connections between them all. While it looks like it could still be busy, a few decades ago Albia must have been quite a place for railroading. BoxcabE50
Not sure about the train orders....maybe "joint use" or ? You're right about being a very active area. I've read that the Rock Island alone had 12-15 coal trains a day from those coalfields back in the haydays. The CB&Q dual mainline splits just east of Albia at Halpin. The southern main being a "quick way" to avoid the congestion of downtown Albia. I think those are the two CB&Q mains your are seeing.
Hi Bill- What you are seeing in the trains orders is: On Wabash form copied at "Albia" is from the Wabash depot. On Wabash form copied as "Albia CB&Q" came from the CB&Q depot. On Wabash form copied as "Albia M&STL" came from the M&St.L depot. So it seems that each railroad must have had transfer runs, or some type of interchange with each other, so that they at least briefly ran over each others trackage. BoxcabE50
Could Be. Would that have been a routine way to handle those interchanges? What are the other notations on them in the body of the order? Sounds interesting.
I have a friend that lives very near there in Moulton Iowa, I will see if he has iny info....he was a member of this board, but found the layout to confusing so he hasn't been back, since. How ever I will see what he can find and post anything I find out for you all..or I will connect you two...Boxcab.do you AOL Instant Messenger?
BN9900- I was hoping to be lucky. Maybe find someone who would have a map of Albia, dating from days when the M&St.L, etc., still existed. (1960 or earlier.) I wanted to see how the yards, and interchanges were laid out in the city during those years. Don't have AOL IM. Not on AOL. A little bit humorous- Being a big Milwaukee Road, and Northern Pacific fan. Here I am spending more time on the Wabash Board, learning about this RR! BoxcabE50
[/QB][/QUOTE]That's OK Ken. Eventually EVERYONE finds a home with the WABASH ! [/QB][/QUOTE] Now I suppose I'll need to start buying books, and, and, and....... BoxcabE50
[/QB][/QUOTE] Now I suppose I'll need to start buying books, and, and, and....... BoxcabE50[/QB][/QUOTE] Great news!.....now isn't that one of the fun parts of this hobby...the research?
